Finnforest has confirmed it will go ahead with the closure of its Tilbury operation following consultation with staff.
Plans will now be put in to place for a phased exit through 2010, which will be completed by December 31.
These will include discussions with employees willing to transfer to other Finnforest sites where jobs will be created and to identify offices local to Tilbury in order to relocate head office, sales and support functions.
The company has participated in several collective consultation meetings with both the trade union and employee representatives since the original closure plan was announced last September.
“Although it is no consolation to those that will be affected by the decision to exit the Tilbury site, the move has been facilitated through continuous investments in technology and improvements in our operational abilities, resulting in the company being able to maintain and grow its performance but on a smaller, better utilised operational footprint,” said Roderick Allan, managing director for Finnforest UK Ltd.
